Multiple Thai Cave Rescue Movies Are In The Works

Multiple movies based on the rescue of 12 boys from deep inside a flooded cave in Thailand are in the works. The gripping story captivated the world over the past month, and there was good news recently as all of the boys and their coach were rescued.

One of the movies is coming from Pure Flix Entertainment, which produced the Christian movie franchise God’s Not Dead. Pure Flix CEO Michael Scott, who lives part-time in Thailand, told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie won’t necessarily be a Christian film.

“The bravery and heroism I’ve witnessed is incredibly inspiring, so, yes, this will be a movie for us,” Scott said. “It’s not necessary to make this a Christian film, just an inspirational one.”

The next step is bringing on screenwriters, which is planned for the next few weeks. Scott added that the movie, which could shoot in Thailand, will have a budget of between $30 million and $60 million.

Sgt. Saman Kunan, the Thai Navy SEAL who died as part of the rescue mission, was a friend of Scott’s wife–and the movie aims to honour his legacy.

The other movie is coming from Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu. He will direct the film for Ivanhoe Pictures, which was selected by Thailand’s Navy and government to produce it. In his own tweet, Chu said he’s determined to make sure the story is told respectfully.

I refuse to let Hollywood #whitewashout the Thai Cave rescue story! No way. Not on our watch. That won’t happen or we’ll give them hell. There’s a beautiful story abt human beings saving other human beings. So anyone thinking abt the story better approach it right & respectfully.

— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) July 11, 2018

The 12 boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach, were reported missing on June 23 after venturing deep into a cave system. They became trapped after the water level rose significantly and quickly. Rescuers located them on July 2, and then plans were devised to get them out. Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered to help by creating a child-sized submarine. All 12 boys and their coach were rescued as part of multi-hour missions, with the final group of boys emerging from the cave on July 10. Go to GameSpot sister site CBS News to learn more.